Port Blair, July 4: The ANTCC Campaign Committee Chairman Mr. TSG Bhasker has written a letter to the Hon'ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands on Monday raising his strong objection over the list published by A&N Police Department wherein many candidates in the notified Schedule Tribe list do not seem to be from A&N Islands. Mr. Bhasker highlighted few names of candidates in the list who do not belong to the ST category of A&N Islands but have applied in the Police Exam.

In the letter, Mr. Bhasker said that as per the Scheduled Tribe Gazette notification of the Government of India, only 6 tribes are notified in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and these tribes are only eligible for applying for recruitment in tribal category. However, many candidates from outside our Union Territory have applied and their names are featured in the list which is highly objectionable.

"The Congress Party raises strong objection in allowing tribal people from other States to apply in ST and OBC category posts of A&N Islands. This will deprive our youth from the reserved category and deprive them of their legitimate legal right", added Mr. Bhasker.

He further said that the list of shortlisted candidates announced should not have contained the name of outside candidates in reserved category. Also they should not have been made eligible for PM&E test.

Mr. Bhasker cited the reference of a judgement made by the Hon’ble Supreme Court wherein it is clearly stated that only the 6 tribes belonging to A&N Islands can apply for recruitment in A&N Islands. Also no OBC candidates from other states can apply for posts reserved for OBC candidates of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Hence, Mr. Bhasker strongly recommended for removing all names of mainland candidates who have applied for ST and OBC posts immediately.